Winter Research - Hipposandals

Vindolanda Trust - Tuesday, February 05, 2019

The hipposandals being discovered on the excavations.

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Once an
artefact is found during the excavations, it undergoes conservation in our
onsite laboratory. It is stabilized, conserved and prepared for display or
storage. Research on the object is weaved throughout this process.

One of our
top finds of the 2018 season was a group of four hipposandals, found in two
sets of two and discarded in the fill of a ditch dating to AD 140-180.
Hipposandals are, along Hadrian’s Wall, a rare find. The Vindolanda collection
only holds one other hipposandal which is in a much poorer condition. However,
they are not uncommon elsewhere in Britain especially in urban contexts. One
was found at Silchester, two at Blackburn Mill as part of a hoard found in two
cauldrons one on top of the other, one at Newstead, several at Gorhambury (St.
Albans), just to name a few. Roman hipposandals are also found in France and
upper Austria, where they are often studded (see image below).

Various
theories have been put forward regarding what hipposandals were used for. Here are
the most popular ones:

1)
Temporary horseshoes

The most
common theory is that these iron objects were a type of horseshoe. They were
not nailed to the horses’ hooves like modern horseshoes but rather worn tied
with cords made of organic materials. Hipposandals could be fitted by anyone
who owned a horse, with little need for specialist farrier knowledge. They
could be carried easily, and just as easily be replaced. They would have been
very useful when on remote postings or expeditions. However, all horses’ gaits
(but mostly trot, canter and gallop) involve the 4 legs collecting close
together under the body of the animal, either 2 by 2 on the ground or all 4 in
the air. Any horse may have damaged its own legs if maneuvered at pace while
wearing such heavy sandals. In fact, some researchers support the theory that
hipposandals are not horseshoes at all: according to them they could only have
been used on slower pack animals such as oxen, mules and donkeys.

2) Hobbles
(leg restraints)

The
hipposandals could have been fitted on two or four hooves. The front hooves
would have been fitted with hipposandals equipped with front-facing loops, that
would have then been tied together. This would have only allowed the horse to
move a few inches at a time and would have stopped pasturing horses from
straying.

3)
Medicinal, offensive or traction horseshoes

Hipposandals
could have been used as a medicinal shoe, which could carry a salve packed in
or around the iron and therefore kept firmly on the hoof and frog (the soft
part of a horse hoof located on the underneath of the foot). They could have
also been used for offensive purposes, for example, riding into battle wearing
these would have avoided painful caltrops, which could have made a horse lame,
or for better traction on ice and mud. The Vindolanda sandals are scored, not
studded, but may have worked to guarantee a firm grip in wintery conditions,
when pace was forcibly slow.

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The four hipposandals in their display case at the Roman Army Museum.

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What is your opinion?

Our hipposandals are now on display at the Roman Army Museum, which will re-open on the 9th of February from 10am. Come and have a look at them and make up your mind about their mysterious function!